Luke 23:44-49 A Torn Curtain
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: December 23, 2018 Luke 23:44-49
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
(Understanding the Text) The crucifixion was not without witnesses. The twelve may or may not have been there in the crowd. John was definitely there. There were the accusers and mockers, but there were also the curious drawn there by the crowd. There were those who had wondered if Jesus might be the Messiah, and it says that all of Jesus’ acquaintances and the women who had followed Jesus all the way from Galilee were there. This was a public spectacle that was miraculous even in its horror.
Signs accompanied Jesus’ death. Darkness covered the whole land for three hours. The SDA Commentary says that this could not have been an eclipse because Passover always took place during a full moon, and it is impossible to have an eclipse during a full moon; thus, there was no logical explanation for the temporary darkness. Upon Jesus’ death the temple curtain was torn in two. These signs were part of the reason for so many to be baptized at Pentecost. We marvel at the ability of Peter to preach and have so many converted and the goodwill exhibited towards Christians in that first year or so, but Jesus sowed the seeds that led to those conversions, first by His teaching and miracles and then by His death accompanied by signs, and finally, by His resurrection. Peter was simply reaping the seeds that had already been planted by Jesus’ life and fertilized with His death and brought to fruition with Jesus’ resurrection.
(Revelation of God) In Jesus’ last words, He was remaining true to the Father. He could not see beyond the immediate circumstances. He was about to experience that which God had never felt, His own death. He was powerless at that moment in time and did not have extra help from the Spirit. All He had was faith that His Father was true and powerful and would handle the next part of the plan of salvation. Jesus placed His very being into His Father’s hand to keep, and then let go of life. This was the ultimate display of trust.
Something about the way Jesus was on the cross or about His actual death was impressive, more than the darkness. The centurion watched and was convicted that Jesus was innocent of all crimes. Maybe it was the forgiveness shown to His mockers and the kindness to a stranger in the midst of His own agony. Maybe it was the contrast between the mockers and Jesus’ followers. Whatever it was, the centurion knew that he had participated in the torture and killing of an innocent man. It says that the centurion praised God. I’m not sure exactly what that means. I need to study it more.
(Understanding the Text) The crowds went home beating their breasts. I think that was because they knew that their Messiah had just been crucified on the cross, and they were about to suffer the results of rejecting God’s representative that the prophets had told of for eons. I think they lost hope in their people’s future at the cross. They were not mourning the death of a man, but of their whole identity as the people of God.
Jesus’ followers watched in horror and sorrow the unfolding events. Some remembered that He had told them He would die. Others were too shocked and horrified to think of anything beyond the numbness of seeing their dreams crumble. They saw the signs but did not know what to make of them. They had no hope as they watched the one they loved die.
(Application / Prayer) My application for myself is that I may not see beyond the immediate horror and depression even though I have signs that God is still with me. However, I must, as Jesus did, commend my life and future to God. Even when I see no hope, I must still hope in Jesus. I must look beyond what I see to the reality of who Jesus is and believe that the future is secure in God’s hands. Dear God, I believe in You and trust You. Help my unbelief.